In the early 80s the Watchtower Society began to forbid any Police Officer from serving as a Ministerial Servant, Elder or even viewed as "Exemplary". WHY??
At the time I was told it was because of firearms, possible bloodguilt, and being men of Violence- "Smiters".
As a young person it just didn't make sense to me. I knew and liked a few Peace Officers who served as Elders. Great guys. Seemed like John Wayne to me. They didn't like criminals...had a sixth sense for them..and they hated child abuse. It got "Handled" ..untill they got "taken out of the loop" in the 80s.
The gun thing, well didn't Abraham go to War to rescue Lot? Didn't Jesus have the apostles do a weapon check after passover? Didn't he sent out the 70-armed?
Interesting thing..the big change in attitude in Bethel came after Knorr died, and when "steam room Freddy" Franz, Greenlees, and Chitty were on the governing Body. In the 70s the gay community, (and NAMBLA ) were not fond of COPS. Does anyone remember the "Stonewall riots? They were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City." That was recent history in NYC in the late 70s and early 80s.
But more importantly MANDITORY REPORTING by SWORN POLICE OFFICERS began to instituted by Western Governments. PERHAPS THIS WAS A KEY REASON. Any Elder would have a legal duty to REPORT or ARREST a congregation RAPIST, CHILD MOLESTER, or WIFE BEATER not just have a confidential discussion or make a call to Watchtower legal.
75% of Elders in rural areas keep guns to this day. Have you heard of any issue being made of this? JUST COPS............hummmmmmm